So today I think its time for a little bit of philosophy. Specifically about my view on patriotism.
I've been raised in what most would call a very patriotic place. My entire family is conservative, probably even down to my cat. Most of my relatives are Republicans, a few are conservative Democrats, and then there are others that don't know the difference between the two but are conservative because the Bible said so. While this does make the family dinners a bit drab (it would at least be entertaining if there were some gypsy relatives) it does mean that my Dad, at least, has given me a better understanding of political philosophy than any liberal media outlet. But anyways. I also live in the Bible belt where God looks favorably on the faithful USA since his name is on the currency and all. Lift all praise to the United States on high. On top of all that I'm an Eagle Scout. Boy Scouts is one organization in particular that presses patriotism as one of its main tenets.
Maybe its just the rebellious teenager in me but I really could care less about patriotism for a country. I'm especially not patriotic for this country, and I can't think of any others that I could really be patriotic for right now. Some time in the past I could have been a patriot. Far enough in the past when certain ideas were still respected and understood. I could have cared about what America stood for, but I don't care now, because it stands for nothing.
People will say that we have progressed into a better undestanding of society and we have made many good reforms to the way a society is run. Yes there have been many good reforms, but there have also been many bad reforms that people championed at one time as great ideas. Does the nation function any better now? There is still poverty, there are still wars being run by politicians instead of generals, and there is still apathy. Perhaps I should be apathetic too. It's becoming increasingly popular and it is being recognized even less and less. There are people who go through their lives who only care about getting through the next day and don't pause to think, to care, or to admire the beauty that is life. All that America stands for today is apathy, and those few with ardor are drowning in it.
So it is because of this that I ask: Why should I be patriotic for my country? The dog has been in existence for 15,000 years. That is far longer than any other country has ever lasted. Do we in our arrogance assume that America, or any other country will still be here in 15,000 years? That was a point raised to me in Joseph Heller's Catch-22, and a very good point it is. All countries fall eventually, why should we be patriotic to a country more than an idea? As a country progresses new ideas form and old ones become less popular. But if there is an idea that I believe in, it doesn't matter how unpopular the idea is, I should show fervor to the idea over my country. Rather than jump on the "progress" train I should hold to what is true. Even if America is moving away from what it once valued, I will continue to support the idea.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Donkeys and superdelegates
I think a hilarious contradiction in the Democratic Party is often overlooked by most people. The superdelegate. The symbol of the democratic party is a donkey, supposed to represent the common man. But what I don't get is why only the democratic party has delegates that represent only their self-interests. Superdelegates are delegates that can vote at the democratic convention. They are in no way chosen by the people during the primaries, and most of them are governors, congressman, and other political power figures. They are not obligated to vote any particular way. The last time I checked Obama had quite a few more delegates than Hillary, but she had almost double the superdelegate count. That's what has kept them neck and neck for so long. If you ask me, that is not helping the hard-working common man at all. I suppose liberals would defend the superdelegates by saying that they usually vote similar to the people's wishes. They certainly don't have to vote according to the people's wishes. Ideally shouldn't the Democrats stand up for the common man and be the party without the superdelegates? Superdelegates undermine the definition of "Democratic".
Monday, January 28, 2008
Politics
I've decided to post a blog about who I endorse for president 2008 in easy-to read sound bites so that the general populace will understand.
I will start with the republicans.
The Huckster/Huck&Chuck Inc./Huckleberry or Huckabee as he is commonly known:
I liked some of the things he said. Things like getting rid of the IRS, his immigration policy, and the nice (though somewhat meaningless) sound of more art in schools. Then he said he had a divine right to be president and I decided that my vote would be best spent elsewhere.
Mitt Meister/Mitt Romney: He's the average neo con in my view nothing is really going to change with him except that the Bible Belt will have to deal with the fact that Huckabee didn't win.
McCain: I have a lot of respect for this man. A real war hero and a real leader. I agree on him with many things and he is my 2nd choice for republicans. He likes things like conservative spending, tax cuts, and border security, and so do I. He does have a streak of Neo-con in him though which is why he is my second choice.
Rudy Giuliani/The Rude: He's my least favorite for republicans. He's also probably not going to win. I like that. Nuff said.
Ron Paul: My number one choice overall. He has capitalist solutions (which are the only ones that work in the end) to the Health Care crisis, which is my number one issue. He shows an understanding of the issues above and beyond every other candidate and he plans carefully. He has solutions to America's laughable Social "Security" and he wants a true limited government. Some people call him a racist, which is funny since he is the most anti-racist presidential hopeful by definition of the philosophy he follows: Libertarianism. He's a true fiscal conservative who wants to get rid of America's debt and get out of a war that has gone on too long for all the wrong reasons. Sadly, he probably won't win. Either way he started a movement that will continue on to the next election.
Now its time for the Democrats!
Hillary Clinton: If anything I am anti-Hillary. She is the last person I want to see as my president and it has nothing to do with her gender before you accuse me of being a chauvinist pig. Also make sure you can spell that before calling me one. She has such noble robin hood-esque ideals such as taking big bucks from the big bad corporations and giving the money to innovation (a contradiction with government) of fuel. Not only is she investing the money of the companies into a really dumb alternative fuels, (corn Ethanol) but whenever government socializes business, innovation bombs. I also don't want socialized medicine. That will completely destroy the health of millions of people and outright kill others. I also hate really bad actors. To people who support her wholeheartedly I would encourage them not to be so blind. She's running for president so that she can have power. Helping the people only comes after her agenda.
Barack Obama: On a happier note there is someone who can actually defeat Hillary in this race. Obama. He is my number one choice for democrats and my number two choice overall. People say he's inexperienced, but if he's made it this far in the presidential race then we can at least say he's a fast learner. He's an idealist. He wants to make politics totally transparent and I can't help but jump onboard that train. If he had a conservative economic policy and was for privatization, I think Obama would easily surpass Ron Paul in my book.
John Edwards: I like that he put poverty on the forefront of his campaign. Because of that he's challenging other candidates to place importance on the issue and give their plans. As for his policies I'm kind of unimpressed. He's on the same level as Huckabee to me. The mid-range. I wish him luck in his political career and I'm glad he's still around to mooch votes off Hillary.
So there you have it. My political viewpoint. If you want to you can tell your friends that I endorse Ron Paul and because of that they should too. If they ask who I am just give them a vague answer about my political power. If you tell the whole story then they will think nothing you say is credible ever again. Now how would that make you feel?
I will start with the republicans.
The Huckster/Huck&Chuck Inc./Huckleberry or Huckabee as he is commonly known:
I liked some of the things he said. Things like getting rid of the IRS, his immigration policy, and the nice (though somewhat meaningless) sound of more art in schools. Then he said he had a divine right to be president and I decided that my vote would be best spent elsewhere.
Mitt Meister/Mitt Romney: He's the average neo con in my view nothing is really going to change with him except that the Bible Belt will have to deal with the fact that Huckabee didn't win.
McCain: I have a lot of respect for this man. A real war hero and a real leader. I agree on him with many things and he is my 2nd choice for republicans. He likes things like conservative spending, tax cuts, and border security, and so do I. He does have a streak of Neo-con in him though which is why he is my second choice.
Rudy Giuliani/The Rude: He's my least favorite for republicans. He's also probably not going to win. I like that. Nuff said.
Ron Paul: My number one choice overall. He has capitalist solutions (which are the only ones that work in the end) to the Health Care crisis, which is my number one issue. He shows an understanding of the issues above and beyond every other candidate and he plans carefully. He has solutions to America's laughable Social "Security" and he wants a true limited government. Some people call him a racist, which is funny since he is the most anti-racist presidential hopeful by definition of the philosophy he follows: Libertarianism. He's a true fiscal conservative who wants to get rid of America's debt and get out of a war that has gone on too long for all the wrong reasons. Sadly, he probably won't win. Either way he started a movement that will continue on to the next election.
Now its time for the Democrats!
Hillary Clinton: If anything I am anti-Hillary. She is the last person I want to see as my president and it has nothing to do with her gender before you accuse me of being a chauvinist pig. Also make sure you can spell that before calling me one. She has such noble robin hood-esque ideals such as taking big bucks from the big bad corporations and giving the money to innovation (a contradiction with government) of fuel. Not only is she investing the money of the companies into a really dumb alternative fuels, (corn Ethanol) but whenever government socializes business, innovation bombs. I also don't want socialized medicine. That will completely destroy the health of millions of people and outright kill others. I also hate really bad actors. To people who support her wholeheartedly I would encourage them not to be so blind. She's running for president so that she can have power. Helping the people only comes after her agenda.
Barack Obama: On a happier note there is someone who can actually defeat Hillary in this race. Obama. He is my number one choice for democrats and my number two choice overall. People say he's inexperienced, but if he's made it this far in the presidential race then we can at least say he's a fast learner. He's an idealist. He wants to make politics totally transparent and I can't help but jump onboard that train. If he had a conservative economic policy and was for privatization, I think Obama would easily surpass Ron Paul in my book.
John Edwards: I like that he put poverty on the forefront of his campaign. Because of that he's challenging other candidates to place importance on the issue and give their plans. As for his policies I'm kind of unimpressed. He's on the same level as Huckabee to me. The mid-range. I wish him luck in his political career and I'm glad he's still around to mooch votes off Hillary.
So there you have it. My political viewpoint. If you want to you can tell your friends that I endorse Ron Paul and because of that they should too. If they ask who I am just give them a vague answer about my political power. If you tell the whole story then they will think nothing you say is credible ever again. Now how would that make you feel?
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